Imagine being a parent, living in a city nearly 3,000 miles away from your own hometown, enjoying work at a local chocolate factory and then suddenly becoming unemployed. This was the reality for Sebastiana, an Oakland resident and mother born in Guatemala tested by life in the Bay Area.
“I worked for this chocolate company for two years, but they laid us off because they moved the chocolate company to another state,” she said.
Sebastiana filed for unemployment to try to keep herself afloat until she found a new job. Through it all, she says she felt financial pressure at every turn, admitting that even now she’s challenged keeping up with California’s cost of living.
“I work, and I pay $800 a month for rent. That only left me a $150 a week," she explained while acknowledging how difficult it was to save or plan of the future.
Five years ago, Sebastiana came to Oakland seeking better opportunities for herself. She didn’t speak English but knew just enough Spanish just to bridge the gap from her native Mayan language called Man. While she had a few members of her immediate family living in Oakland, she soon found a Guatemalan community that reminded her of their culture, and helped her adapt to her new hometown. To this day, that community and family help with daycare for her 4-year-old son.
“Other people take care of him [Sebastiana’s son]. I drop him off, and then when I come back from work, I pick him up," she said, explaining how she balances work and childcare. “I like to work and take care of my son so that he's not lacking for anything.”
Before long Sebastiana found herself actively volunteering to support others in her community.
"Sometimes among my fellow countrymen, we decide to do a trash clean-up in the streets, and I can help with that," said Sebastiana, illustrating how community efforts have enhanced her neighborhood.
Sebastiana’s quality of life enhanced as well after having the opportunity to tackle basic needs and ease her financial burden through an UpTogether partnership with local philanthropy, government and private donors. The Oakland Resilient Families Guaranteed Income Pilot was, at the time, one of the largest in the country. 600 families in Oakland received $500 a month for 18 months. A co-worker of hers at the chocolate factory told her about the sweet opportunity and it was immediately spent where she felt it mattered most, including diapers, childcare expenses and household items.
"The first time they added money to a virtual card, and I bought like soap and just a bunch of things that I needed for the house,” said Sebastiana. “It helped me so much. It helped me a lot.”
Freedom to use the cash as she saw fit, allowed Sebastiana to manager her own finances more effectively and prevented her from falling further behind on bills or rent without increasing debt. In a city like Oakland, where the cost of living is increasing and opportunities are decreasing, Sebastiana’s story highlights the importance of community and access to unrestricted financial resources.
Sebastiana’s life also showcases how no matter where you come from, living in Oakland can breathe resilience into your story. A testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to find community in new places.